Variable spacing typewriter



June 7, 1960 s. KHALIL 2,939,565

VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER Filed May 16. 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 SELECTING MECHANISM i INVENTOR.

SEYED KHFIL/L H TTORNEY June 7, 1960 s. KHALlL VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER Filed May 16, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 R m m v W.

SEYED KHHL/L H TTO RN E Y S. KHALIL VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER June 7, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 16, 1958 INVENTOR. SEYED KHHL/L.

%//a nu FITTORNEY June 7, 1960 s. KHALIL 2,939,565

VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER Filed May 16, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnl mm mm- 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 .lllliclllllllilltl illllilffllfilllllf S. KHALlL VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER June 7, 1960 Filed May 16, 1958 MM- FI TTORNEY June 7, 1960 s. KHALIL VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 16. 1958 SEYED KHHLJL FITTQ June 7, 1960 s. KHALIL VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 16. 1958 INVENTOR 5EYED KHF/L/ L.

S. KHALIL VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER June 7, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May 16, 1958 INVENTOR. 3E YE 0 KHHLJ L United States Patent VARIABLE SPACING TYPEWRITER.

Seyed Khalil, Hotel Monterey, Broadway at 94th st,

' New York, N.Y.

Filed May 16, 1958, Ser. No. 735,810

34 Claims. 7 (Cl. 197-84) This invention relates to a variable spacing typewriter and is particularly concerned with the feed or spacing mechanism thereof;

Whereas the subject matter of this invention may be operated by any type of selecting mechanism, it is well typed; a variable spacing typewriter wherein the typing speed can be increased appreciably as compared with conventional equipment without danger of piling; a variable spacing mechanism having clutching teeth; a variable spacing typewriter capable of utilizing a conventional feed rack which may, for example, have a twelve pitch, each tooth corresponding to a-grolip of the clutching teeth and aligned with one of each group; a variable spacing typewriter having a carriage which advances in a typing direction by two, three, four or five space units and which is adapted to return in steps of a single space unit; a variable spacing typewriter having a marginal rack of the same pitch as the feed rack, thereby assuring accurate alignment of the left hand margin; a variable spacing typewriter having a tabular rack of the same pitch as the feed rack with the teeth of these two racks 'in alignment; a variable spacing typewriter having a spacing mechanism which can be installed and removed as a unit to facilitate assembly and maintenance; and a variable spacing typewriter characterized by a relatively low cost, simplified construction, reduced maintenance, ability, to withstand vibration and temperature changes, and its ability to withstand rigorous usage withoutapparent damage. f

A variable spacing typewriter conforming to the present invention comprises a frame supportinga carriage, means for imparting sliding movement vto the carriage in a typing direction, a plurality of escapement mechanisms each providing uniform increments of movement difierent from the others, and means selectively interconnect-ing the can,

riage with the escapement mechanisms. The interconnecting means preferably assumes the form of a clutch member, which clutch member may be toothed, in which event the escapement mechanisms are provided with movable members engageable with the clutch member, each of the movable members having an equal. number of teeth engageable with they clutch member. The typewriter preferably includes typing characters having widths corresponding to a plurality of space unit values and the escapement mechanisms are provided with movable members each having teeth for engagement with the clutch member, the number of teeth on each movable member being a whole number multiple of the least common denominator of the space unit values. 7

r V V 70 Each escapement mechanismis preferably actuated by a selecting mechanism through force transmitting means" 2,939,565 Patented June 7, 1960 writer in accordance with the present invention have a frame, a carriage having a feed rack slidably mounted on the frame, a feed spring for moving the carriage relative to the frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on the frame in driven engagement with the rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms supported by the frame and each having relatively movable elements restricting movement of the carriage to difierent degrees respectively,

means selectively connecting the feed pinion with the mechanisms, and selecting means imparting relative movement to' the elements for independently activating the mechanisms. The relatively movable elements are preferably concentric cylindrical sleeves and one-of the sleeves of eachsuch mechanism is preferably axially and rotatably movable. One of the sleeves of each-such mechanism is preferably rotatably interposed between two stationary sleeves. Each mechanism preferably comprises a rotatable sleeve and a stationary sleeve having cooperating stops limiting movement of the rotatable sleeve to uniform angular increments. Each such mechanism preferably comprises a rotatable sleeve having two sets of stops movable therewith in different paths, and stationary stops disposed in those paths respectively, limiting movement of the rotatable sleeve to uniform angular increments. A reciprocable carrier operated by the selecting means rotatably supports one of the sleeves of each mechanism and preferably includes a split ring having spaced ends embracing one of the sleeves of each such mechanism. Each mechanism preferably includes tripping members responsive to the selecting means to release the carriage for limited relative movement. One of the sleeves of each mechanism is preferably stationary with respect thereto and has an outer peripheral bearing surface, and another of the sleeves is relatively movable erably receives a resultant motion having a component 1n one direction responsive to a biasing spring and a component in another direction responsive to the feed spring. One of the sleeves of each mechanism is preferably stationary relative thereto and provides a plurality of uniformly circumferentially spaced notches, and another of the sleeves is rotatable and reciprocable and carries a retaining dog receivable in the notches, each of the notches being bounded by an inclined edge for guiding the dog. a

The typewriter embodying the present invention preferably includes characters having diiferent numbers of space unit values and the number of the carriage spacing mechanisms corresponds to the number of said space unit values. Each of the mechanisms preferably includes a rotatable sleeve, and a spring biased force transmitting element selectively connects the feed pinion with any of the rotatable sleeves exclusively of the others. The feed pinion and connecting means are preferably carried by a common shaft. Each of the mechanisms includes a rotatable sleeve, and the connecting means includes a clutch member driven by the feed spring and independently engageable with one of the rotatable sleeves. Each of the mechanisms includes a rotatable sleeve having a radial clutch face, and one of the sleeves is longer than the others. Each of the mechanisms preferably includes a rotatable sleeve having a radial clutch face with a number of teeth equal to a whole number multiple of twelve. The connecting means preferably includes a clutchmemher, and each of the mechanisms includes a rotatable sleeve, each sleeve bearing an equal .numberof radial teeth engageable with the clutch membeneach tooth corresponding to one unit "of carriage movement, the clutch member having a pawl for engaging the teeth of one of the sleeves and a rigid clutch for engaging the teeth of others of the sleeves, whereby the carriage is'movable in a carriage return direction in increments of one unit. Each of the mechanisms preferably includes a reciprocable carrier operated by the selecting means and each carrier rotatably supports one of the sleeves of each mechanism, and a member common to the carriers engages a guiding slot in each carrier to confine its motion to reciprocation. The carriage preferably supports a marginal rack, the marginal and feed racks having teeth of'equal pitch.

In accordance with one of its aspects the present invention contemplates a variable spacing typewriter having a frame, a carriage including a feed rack slidably mounted on the frame, a feed spring'for moving the carriage relative to the frame, a feed pinion having a shaft rotatably mounted on the frame in driven engagement with the rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms mounted concentrically about the shaft and supported by the frame, each such mechanism having a pair of concentric stationary sleeves and a relatively rotatably and reciprocably movable sleeve interposed therebetween for restricting movement of the carriage to different degrees respectively, the outer of the stationary sleeves carrying a single index element, the movable sleeve carrying a plurality of index elements uniformly circumferentially spaced for engagement with said single index element, the inner of said stationary sleeves carrying multiple index elements in uniformly circumferentially spaced relationship, the movable sleeve carrying a single index element for engagement with the multiple elements, clutch means normally interengaging the feed pinion with one of the mechanisms and selectively connecting the feed pinion with the others of the mechanisms, and selecting means including a cam movement independently activatingthe mechanisms.

It is also contemplated that the variable spacing typewriter have a frame, a carriage 'slidably mounted on the frame, an indicator graduated .in space'units comprising a reference element supported on the frame and a rotatable element, and a feed mechanism driving the-carriage and rotatable element. One of these elements is adjustable relative to the others to permit an initial'setting at a desired value. The indicator preferably bears two setsof graduations, one being a whole number multiple of the other. The indicator includes a pointer for each set of such graduations. The feed mechanism includes a rack and pinion, and a shaft interconnecting the pinion and rotatable element. The indicator is preferablyprovided with aligning means to assure registration of one of the elements with graduations on the other. The indicator bears graduations in units corresponding to oneunit of movement of the carriage in a backspacing direction.

A'more complete understanding of the invention will.

follow from a description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation, partially in section, depicting a typewriter embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken along line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1 to illustrate the association of the present invention with a suitable selecting mechanism;

. knobs .52.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5 depicting another position of parts;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are elevations, partially in section, depicting a sequence of positions of certain operating parts;

Figs. 10, l1 and 12 are elevations depicting a few examples of the positions assumed by clutch members;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the-\common clutch member depicting in broken lines the members with which it cooperates;

Fig-14 is a fragmentary sectional elevation depicting some of the cooperating concentric sleeves;

Fig. 15 is a sectional fragmentary elevation depicting the stationary concentric sleeves of the several escapements; 7

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional elevation depicting a rotatable and reciprocable sleeve together with its carrier;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view, partially .broken'away, depicting a'carl'ier;

Figs. l8, 19, 2O, '21 and 22, broken away in parts, depict in development form'the concentric sleeves, both stationary and movable of the escapement mechanisms;

Flg. 23 is a plan view, partially broken away, depicting the relationship 'of pins carried by the stationary sleeves'with gaps formed in the carrier members to facilitate assembly;

Fig. 24is a section taken along line .24--24 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 25 is a plan view depicting'an indicator;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the use of the indicator of'Fig. 25; and

Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic representation of the relative movements of cooperating sleeves of one of the escapement mechanisms.

The fragmentary portion of the typewriter depicted in Fig. 1 has a frame 30, a-carriage 32, a feed spring 34 which is carried on a spring drum 38 suitably supported by the frame and having a flexible band 35, the outer end 36 "of which is connected to the carriage 32. The carriage is shown as provided with a feed rack 40, a marginal rack 42 carrying stops 44 and 46, and a tabular rack 48, each of these three racksbeing depicted as having the same pitch, preferably what is known as twelve pitch, with their teeth in alignment. A conventional platen 50 is mounted in the carriage with the usual adjusting .A feed pinion 5'4 is securedto a shaft 56 by means of a set screw 58, the lower :end of the shaft being received in ajournal 60 provided with a thrust bearing 62 of .the ball type. An upper-bearing 64 is'suitably secured t0 the frame for the reception of an intermediate portion of the shaft 56. A pairfof grooves provided near the lower end of theshaft 56 serve. as keyways for cooperation with oppositely disposed sets of balls 68 carried by a clutch .member- 70 to permit its reciprocation on the shaft and atthe same time prevent its rotation with respect to the shaft. I

The clutch member 70 is depicted in detail in Fig. 13 in conjunction withconcentric sleeves 72, 74, and

v 78 depictedin broken lines, with which it cooperates. The

upper surface of. the clutch member 70 carries an outwardly divergentItooth 80 which cooperates with the sleeves 72, '74 and'76. .Anarm 82 carried at one end of the clutch member receives a pivot pin 84 on which a pawl 86 is pivoted and upwardly biased as viewed in Fig. "13 by means of a spring 88 towards a stop 90 which limits its upward movement. 'This pawl 86 cooperates with the outermost sleeve-78 depicted in Fig. .13 and provides a one-way clutch arrangement whereby movement of the clutch member 70 canoccur. freely in one direction with respect to the'sleeve 78 yet restrained against movement in the other direction. Two of these sleeves, 76 and 78 have been depicted in the fragmentary showing of Fig. 14 in cooperation with concentric stationary'sleeves 92, 94, 96,98 and 100,'particularly well shown in Figs. 3 and '4. .Each of'the rotatable'sleeves 72, 74, 76 and 78 is provided with an inwardly radially directed lug or pin 102 serving as an index element for engagement with multiple index elements 104 uniformly circumferentially arranged at the lower edges of the stationary sleeves 94,

96, 98 and 100 lying adjacent to the rotatable sleeves 78,

76, 74 and 72 respectively. Each of the rotable sleeves carries on its outer periphery a plurality of index elements 106 uniformly circumferentially spaced for cooperation with struck up lugs or pins 108 directed radially inwardly from the walls of the stationary sleeves 92, 94,

,96 and 98. Reference to Figs. 18 to 22 showing the concentric sleeves in developed form will assist in an understanding of their cooperation. It will be noted that the innermost stationary sleeve 100 is provided with twelve index elements or teeth 104 for cooperationwith the lug or pin 102 carried by its cooperating rotatable sleeve 72. The rotatable sleeve 72 carries a similar number of lugs or index elements 106 on its outer periphery for cooperation with the lug or pin 108 carried by the stationary sleeve 98 immediately surrounding it. The lower edge of the stationary sleeve 98 is provided with fifteen ,teeth or index elements 104 for cooperation with the pin or. lug 102 carried by the next rotatable sleeve 74.

- This sleeve 74 carries on its outer periphery'fifteen lugs or index elements 106 for cooperation with the pin or lug 108 of the next outer stationary sleeve 96. These lugs .106 and 108 serve the same function .as the rigid or fixed dogs of many conventional manual typewriters, however, in the application of this invention to electric typewriters, these lugs need not be used. Omission of these lugs will simplify the mechanism and reduce its cost.

The lower edge of the stationary sleeve 96 is formed with twenty lugs or index elements 104 for cooperation with the lug or index element 102 carried by the next ,outer rotatable sleeve 76 whose outer periphery carries twenty lugs or index elements 106 for cooperation with the lug or index element 108 carried by the next outer stationary sleeve 94. The stationary sleeve 94 has its lower edge formed with thirty teeth or index elements 104 cooperating with the pin or lug 102 of the outermost rotatable element 78 whose outer periphery is formed with thirty lugs or index elements 106 cooperating with the inwardly directed lug or index element 108 carried by the outermost stationary sleeve 92. Each. of the rotatable sleeves 72, 74, 76 and 78 is formed at its lower edge with an equal number of teeth, shown as sixty in number. The sleeves '72, 74, 76 and 78 have these teeth designated by reference characters 110, 112, 114 and 116 respectively, and since these teeth are arranged uniformly circumferentially, it is natural that their pitch will increase from the smaller sleeve 72 outwardly. It is for this reason that the tooth 80 of the clutch member '70, described with reference to Fig. 13, diverges outwardly to accommodate the differing pitches of the teeth 110,

, 112 and 114 carried by the rotatable sleeves 72, 74 and v 76 respectively.

It is important that the number of teeth 110, 112;, 114

numbers of such index elements are twelve, fifteen, twenty and thirty, and accordingly, their least common denominator is sixty. It is clear of course, that the rotatable j sleeves 72, 74, 76 and 78 carry twelve, fifteen, twenty and thirty index elements 106 and again the least common denominator is sixty. Thus in the present case,

v the whole number involved is one. By virtue of this relationship, each time one of the rotatable sleeves '72, 74,

V 76 or 78 advances to the degree permitted by the pitch of its rotatable sleeve borne index elements 104, there will be registry between the tooth 80 and pawl 86 of clutch l member 70 and the teeth carried by the lower edges of 104, under which conditions the index element 106-will the rotatable sleeve, serving to permit back spacing of the carriage by single space units. 7.

Since there are thirty index elements 104 on the stationary sleeve 94, it will be clear that each stepping movement of the rotatable sleeve78 from one index element 104 to the next carried by the stationary sleeve 94 will represent a carriage movement of two space units corresponding, for example, to the lower case letter i. Each advancing movement of the rotatable sleeve 76 from one index element 104 to the next carried by its stationary sleeve 96 will correspond to a carriage movement of three space units to satisfy the needs of lower case letter n for example. Each step advanced by the rotatable sleeve 74 from one index element 104 to the next carried, by its stationary sleeve 98 will represent a carriage movement corresponding to four space units to serve the requirements of lower case letter w, for example. Similarly, when the rotatable sleeve 72 advance'srelative to its stationary sleeve 100 by a distance corresponding to the pitch of the index elements 104, there will be a caniage traverse of live space units to serve the requirements of upper case letter M, for example.

If, instead of employing characters requiring two, three, four and five space units,'the various characters were allotted values of two, three and four space units, then the least common denominator would be twelve so that the number of teeth required at the lower edges of the rotatable sleeve could be twelve or any even number multiple thereof, such as twenty-four, thirty-six, fortyeight, and so on.

The manner and sequence of movement of the rotatable sleeve 78 relative to the stationary sleeve has been illustrated diagrammatically on a magnified scale in Fig. 27. Initially, under rest conditions, the lug 102 carried bythe rotatable sleeve 78 is in abutment with an index element 104 carried by an inner stationary sleeve 94 re straining relative movement. As the rotatable sleeve 78 is moved downwardly, as indicated by the arrows and 121, the lug 102 will clear the index element 104'permitting the lug to assume a position such as that designated as 102a. Inasmuch as the feed spring 34 is tending to move the carriage relative to the frame and thereby tending to rotate the shaft 56, after the lug 102 has.

cleared the index element 104, a turning component becomes eifective so that the resultant motion will assume a direction such as that indicated by the arrows 122 and 123 to move the lug to a position such as that depicted by the reference character 102b. During this relative motion, the index elements 106 are similarly moved through positions designated 106a and 106b. In the event that in its path of movement the index element 106 actually engages the lug 108 of its surrounding sleeve 92, rotation of the rotatable sleeve 78 will be limited thereby to assure that its advance will not exceed the pitch of the index elements 104, which is the same as the pitch of the index elements 106. Accordingly, after the lug 102 has assumed its position 102b, continued movement will be upward and rotational, producing a resultant represented by the arrows124 and 125 until'the lug assumes a position 1020 in abutment with the next index element have traveled to its new position designated 1060.

This sequence of movements is also illustrated to a degree in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. In Fig. 7, the sleeve 78 is depicted in its elevated position with its teeth 116 engaging the pawl 86 of the clutch member 70. Under these conditions, the pin or lug 102 carried by the rotatable sleeve 78 is engaged against one of the index elements 104 which has been shaded in this figure for purposes of identification. As the rotatable sleeve 78 is moved downwardly, in a manner to be described, the clutch member is also moved downwardly against the force of its spring 126 until the lug or pin 102 clears the shaded index ele- .ment 104 as shown in Fig. 8, whereupon the sleeve can rotate relative to the stationary sleeves until its index element 106, also shown as shaded, engages the lug 108 carried by its outwardly disposed stationary sleeve as depicted in Fig. 9 where the lug 102 is shown as having completed its downward motion. Then as the sleeve 78 starts to return to its elevated position, further relative rotation under the influence of the feed spring will cause the pin or lug 102 to be lodged against the next adjacent index element 104 to the right of the shaded index element of Fig. 9. Inasmuch as the spring 126 is shown as compressed progressively in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, it will he understood that the upward movement and extension of the spring will begin at approximately the conditions depicted in Fig. 9.

Each of the rotatable sleeves is supported for angular movement relative to the stationary sleeves by means of a carrier 128, shown in Fig. 17, comprising a ring 136 split to provide a gap 132 and having upwardly directed legs 134 disposed at 180,each of the legs having an outwardly directed pin 136 disposed at an intermediate portion thereof, and terminating at their upper ends in open slots 138. Each of these split rings 130 is of angular shape in cross section providing a lip 140 as shown in Fig. 16, forengagement with an out-turned flange 142 formed at the upper edge of each of the rotatable sleeves represented by the sleeve 78 in Fig. 16. Inasmuch as the rings 130 are provided with the gaps 132, they can be expanded to receive the flanges 142 of the sleeves, whereupon the rings will snap into position and be restrained against relative axial movement by the out-turned flanges 142 and the index elements 106.

The gaps 132 are so oriented that they will register with the lugs or pins 108 carried by the stationary sleeves to permit assembly of the rotatable sleeves relative to the assembled stationary sleeves. A sub-assembly depicting the stationary sleeves in position appears in Fig. 15 showing a cover member 144 to which the several stationary sleeves are fixed, as shown in Fig. 23 by means of screws 146. The cover member 144 is provided with radial slots 148 having a width greater than that of the legs 134 of the carrier members 128 to permit the legs to extend upwardly therethrough with substantial clearance, as shown in Fig. 23. The outermost stationary sleeve 92 is shown with an extended skirt portion, as shown inFig. 1, whose lower edge is secured by means of screws 148 to an annular member 150 having an upturned'flange 152 threaded to receive the screws. The annular member 156 is in turn secured to the frame by means of suitable screws 154.

Mounted on the upper portion of the stationary sleeve assembly as best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, is a bracket 7 152 secured to the sub-assembly by means of screws 155. A pair of horizontally extending arms 156 integral with the bracket support a shaft 158, on the right end of which, as viewed in Fig. 1, a plurality of hell cranks 160 are pivoted and biased towards their rest positions as depicted in Fig. 5, by means of springs 162. As shown in Fig. 5, thebell cranks 166 are all aligned in their rest positions. Inorder to rock these bell cranks counterclockwise against their springs 162, a suitable selecting mechanism164 is provided which may assume the form of that disclosed'inmy copending application Serial No.'713,987, filed-onFebruary 7, 1958. However, the present'invention is not-limited to use with any particular selecting mechanism.

The upper arm 166 of each bell crank 169 carries a pin or actuator 168-which rides on the surface of a cam member 170 having terminal dwell portions 172 and 174 and an intermediate accelerating portion 176. Accordingly, when the bell crank 160 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot shaft 1158, motion of the cam member 170 will begin gradually, undergo acceleration and then assume a predetermined limited position until it is restored to its rest position by means of a spring 178 whose opposite ends'arecarriedby a-bail 8 190 on which the cam member -is disposed and the left end of the shaft 158 respectively. The cam 170 is formed on one end of the lever 180, of which there are four all together, pivotally mounted on a common shaft 182 supported by upwardly extending arms 184 provided by the bracket 152. As 'will'be clear from Fig. 2,'each of the arms constitutes a portion of the bail whose opposite end 186 is also pivotally mounted on the shaft 182 and contains an opening 188 to receive the upper end of its restoring spring 178. Each ofthe bails 190 provides an intermediate slot 192 in its arms 180 and 186 for reception of the pins 136 carried by the upwardly directed legs 134 of the carrier 128 with which the bail is associated. In order to confine the carriers 128 to axial movement, common shafts 194 carried by upwardly directed arms 1% of the bracket 152 extend through the slots 138 provided at the upper ends of the legs 134. Thus as one of the bell cranks 160 is actuated by means of its selecting mechanism, it will rotate counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 5, whereby its pin 168 will drive the corresponding bail 190 clockwise about its pivot 182 to depress the pins 136 carried by the legs 134 and received in the slots 192 to produce downward movement of the carrier 130 and with it, its corresponding rotatable sleeve 72, 74, 76 or 78. Then, after the rotatable sleeve and the clutch member 70 have partaken of a movement corresponding to the pitch of its index elements 106, the extended spring 178 will restore the bail 190 to its rest position. In Fig. 6, one of the pins 168 has been depicted as riding on a dwell portion 174 of the cam 170 corresponding to the extreme clockwise movement of the bail and to the lowermost position of the rotatable sleeve 78 actuated thereby.

Whereas the upper positions of all of the rotatable sleeves have been depicted in Fig. 10, in Fig. 11 the outermost rotatable sleeve 78 has been depicted as depressed to permit its rotation and thereby rotation of the clutch member 70. In Fig. 12 the next inwardly disposed rotatable sleeve 76 has been shown as depressed to a degree suflicient to remove the pawl 86 of the clutch member 70 from the teeth 116 of the outermost rotatable sleeve 78, under which conditions, engagement between the clutch tooth 80 and the teeth 114 will limit rotational movement of the clutch member and shaft 56 to restrain carriage movement to an extent corresponding to three space units.

As best shown in Figs. 1, 25 and 26, an indicator 200 is provided with two sets of graduations 282 and 204 to assist back spacing and tabulating procedures respectively. The two sets of graduations are shown as provided on a plate or disc 206 which is secured to the frame by means of a pair of thumb nuts 203. A rotatable element 210 is provided on its periphery with sixty teeth 212 and centrally with a hub 214 which receives the shaft 56 to which it is secured by means of a set screw 216. A disc 218 is provided with oppositely disposed teeth 220 complementing the teeth 212 so that the longer hand 222 carried by the disc 218 can be adjusted to register with any one of the sixty calibrations 202 formed on the plate 206. Accordingly, once the rotatable element 210 has been adjusted to the shaft 56 in its proper position, in order to adjust the band 222 to zero or any other value as an initial position, it is only necessary to remove the thumb nut 224 which holds the disc 218 axially engaged with the rotatable element, lift the disc androtate it until the hand 222 registers with the desired graduation.

The inner graduations 204 cooperate with a shorter hand 226 carried by the discv 218 to indicate to the operator when a proper tabulating position of the carriage has been assumed. It will be remembered that the typewriter constituting the subject matter of this application has been described for purposes of illustration as providing carriage movements of two, three, four and five space units to accommodate the various characters and that its tabular rack has been described as a twelve-pitch spasm rack with each tooth corresponding to three space units. Accordingly, at any particular moment, the shorter hand 226 might or might not register with one of its graduations 204. Since there are twenty divisions on the inner scale, each correspondingto three space units, the shorter hand 226 might be displaced by one or two space units to the right or left of one of the graduations, which conditions have been depicted in Fig. 26. Under either of the conditions depicted in Fig. 26, if the carriage is moved until the shorter band 226 registers with one of the inner graduations, then one of the tabular stops will be in line with the tabular stop setting mechanism, whereupon the tabular stop setting key can be actuated in the usual fashion and the desired stopwill be set. It is preferable in obtaining such registry to advance the carriage in a typing direction rather than move it in a back spacing direction. Whenever the carriage is to be advanced by one space unit, a space bar, not shown, will be operated to advance the carriage a plurality of units, such as two, and then back spacing of one unit will be effected.

The outer graduations of one unit each will permit the operator to observe the number of space units that thecarriage should be moved in a back spacing direction when a correction is to be made.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that rotational movement of the rotatable sleeves 72, 74,76

and 78 will be uninterrupted from the time that 'its lug.

102 clears an index element 104 until such lug engages the next adjacent index element 104. It should be particularly noted in this connection that under ordinary circumstances of operation, the index elements 106 carried by these rotatable sleeves never actually engage the lugs 108, which index elements and lugs are provided only to insure that in the case of faulty operation that may occur in a manual typewriter, the rotatable sleeves cannot advance by more than one index element 104 at one time. Thus, each time oneof the sleeves 72, 74, 76- or 78 is reciprocated in opposite directions, its rotation will be continuous in one direction an amount corre sponding to a complete typing movement of the carriage. By virtue, of this mode of operation, the very undesirahle condition known as .piling is completely avoided since the carriage will have moved from one position to the next before the type bar which has just been active has moved sufficiently far away from the platen to permit another to be advanced.

Those skilled in the art will immediately recognize the great advantage of this uninterrupted carriage movement when comparing it with spacing mechanisms of conventional standard typewriter-sas typified by the disclosure of US. Patent No. 2,258,116, dated October 7, 1941, issued to the present inventor. The spacing mechanisms of such conventional standard typewriters comprise a retaining dog and a rigid or fixed dog which are alternately engaged. with an escapement wheel during each typing movement. .of the carriage. These dogs, in such conventional typewriters, are mounted on a dog rocker which oscillates in one direction to disengage the retaining dog from its escapement wheel and in the opposite direction to reengage the ,retaining dog with the escapementwheel. During the entire period that the retaining dog is moving from its extreme position of disengagement back to its position of reengagement with the escapement wheel, the carriage is stopped. It is only after such' reengagement that the second step of the carriage movement. is completed. i

Whereas only one specific embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the principles ofthis invention are much more widely applicable and accordingly, this embodiment should not be construed as limiting the invention beyond the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

10 supporting 'a carriage, means for imparting sliding niove ment to said carriage in 'a typing direction, a plurality of escapement mechanisms having teeth each providing uniform increments of movementv different from the others, and means selectively and independently interconnecting said carriage with the teeth of said escapement mechanisms.

2. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim I wherein said interconnecting means is a clutch member.

3. A variable spacing typewriter comprising a frame supporting a carriage, means for imparting sliding movement to said carriage in a typing direction, a plurality of escapement mechanisms each providing uniform increments of movement different from the others, and a clutch member selectively interconnecting said carriage with said escapement mechanisms, wherein said clutch member is toothed and said escapement mechanisms are provided with movable members engageable.with said clutch member, each of said movable members having an equal number of teeth enga-geable with ,said clutch member.

4. A variable spacing typewriter comprising a frame supporting a carriage, meansfor imparting sliding movement to said carriage in a typing direction, a plurality of escapement mechanisms each providing uniform increments of movement diiferentfrom the others, and a clutch member selectively interconnecting said carriage .with said escapement mechanisms, wherein said typewriter includes typing characters having widths corresponding ,to' a plurality of space unit lvalues and said escapementmechanisms are provided with movable members each having teeth for engagement with said clutch member, the number of teeth oneach movable member being a whole number multiple of the least common denominator of said space unit values.

5. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim 1 wherein a selecting mechanism actuates each escapement mechanism through force transmitting means comprising a cam.

6. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim wherein said cam has terminal portions providing dwells and an intermediate accelerating portion.

7. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim 5 wherein a spring biases said cam towards a rest position.

8. A variable spacing typewriter asset forth in claim 1 wherein a selecting mechanism ,actuates each escapement mechanism through force transmitting means comprising a pivoted bail.

. 9. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim 8 whereina spring biases said bail towards a rest position.

10. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said escapement mechanisms are concentrically disposed. I a

11. A variable spacing typewriter having a frame, a

carriage including a feed rack'slidablymounted on said frame, a feed spring formoving said carriage relative to said frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on said frame in driven engagement with said rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms supported by said frame and each having relatively movable elements carrying 'teeth restricting movement of said carriage todiiferent degrees respectively, means selectively connecting said feed pinion with the teeth of said mechanisms, and selecting means imparting relative movement to said elements for independently activating said mechanisms.

12. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim '11 wherein said relatively movable elements are concentric cylindrical sleeves.

13. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim '12. wherein one of said sleeves of each-said mechanism is axially and rotatably movable.

14. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim 12 wherein said frame supports a stationary sleeve adia- 1. A variable spacing typewritercomprising a frame "cent each of'said movable sleeves,'a'nd one of said movable sleeves of each said mechanism is rotatablyinterposed between two of said stationary sleeves. g

. ,l5..,A v,ariable spacing typewriter as setforth inclaim 12 wherein said sleeves comprise a rotatable sleeve and .a, stationary sleeve having cooperating stops limiting movement of said rotatable sleeve to uniform angular increments.

.16. A variablespacing typewriter as set forth in claim 12 wherein said sleeves comprise a rotatable sleeve having two sets of stops movable therewith in different paths, and stationary stops disposed in said paths respectively limiting movement of said rotatable sleeve to uniform angular increments.

17. A variable spacing typewriter as set forthin claim 12 wherein one of said sleeves is reciprocably responsive tosaid selecting means and rotatably responsive to sai' feed spring.

18. A variable spacingtypewriter asset forth in claim 12 wherein one of said sleeves receives a resultant motion having a component in one direction responsive to a biasing Spring and a component in another direction responsive to said feed spring.

19. A variable spacingtypewriter as set forth in claim .12 wherein said typewriter includes characters having different numbers of space unit values, and the number of said carriage spacing mechanisms corresponds to the number of said space unit values.

20. A variable spacingtypewriter as set forth in claim .12 wherein certain ofsaid sleeves are rotatable, and said connecting means includes a spring biasedforce transmitting-element which selectively connects said feed pinion with any of said rotatable sleeves exclusively of the others.

,21. .A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim 12 wherein said feed pinion and connecting means are carried by a common shaft.

22. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim vl2 wherein certain of said sleeves are rotatable, and said connecting means includes a clutch member driven by :said feed spring and independently engageable with one of said rotatable sleeves.

23. A variable spacing typewriter as set forth in claim 12 wherein certain of said sleeves are rotatable, each rotatable sleeve having a radial clutch face, and one of said sleeves being longer than the others.

24. A variable spacing typewriter as set forthin claim .12 wherein one of said sleeves is rotatable and has a radial clutch face with a number of teeth equal to .a :whole number multiple of twelve.

.25. A variable spacing typewriter asset forth in claim 12 wherein said connecting meansincludes a clutch memher, and each of said mechanisms includes a rotatable sleeve, each sleeve bearing an equal number of radial teeth engageable with said clutch member, each tooth corresponding to one unit of carriage movement, said .clutch member having a pawl for engaging the teeth of one of said sleeves anda rigidtooth for engaging-the teeth ofothers of-said sleeves, whereby said carriage is movablein a carriage returndirection in increments of one unit.

'26. A variable spacingttypewriter as setforthin claim :12 wherein said carriage supports a marginal rack, said marginal and feed racks having teeth of equalpitch.

'27. A variable spacingtypewriter having a frame, a carriage including a 'feed-rackslidably mounted on said frame, a feed spring for moving said carriage relative to rsaid frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on said framein driven engagement with said rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms supported by said frame and each having relatively movable concentric cylindrical sleeves restrictingimovement of-said carriage {to different degrees respectively, means selectively connecting said vfeed pinion with said mechanisms, and selecting means imparting relative movement ;to said elements ,for .inde- ,as eml e t a igs aid-me hanisms. whe einia re iproassists ab e ca r pe by a se e t mean ro tab y supports one of saidsleeves of each of saidmechanisms.

.each having relatively movable concentric cylindrical sleeves restricting movement of said carriage to different degrees respectively, means selectively connecting said feed pinion with said mechanisms, and selecting means imparting relative movement to said elements for independently activating said mechanisms, wherein a reciprocable carrier operated by said selecting means includes a split ring having spaced ends embracing one of said sleeves of each of said mechanisms.

29. A variable spacing typewriter having a frame, a carriage including a feed rack slidably mounted on said frame, a feed spring for moving said carriage relative to said frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on said frame in driven engagement with said rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanismssupported by said frame and each having relatively movable concentric cylindrical sleeves restricting movement of said carriage to different degrees respectively, means selectively connecting said feed pinion with said mechanisms and selecting means imparting relative movement to said elements for independently activating said mechanisms, wherein each said mechanism includes tripping members responsive to said selecting means to release said carriage for limited relative movement.

30. A variable spacing typewriter having a frame, a carriage including a feed rack slidably mounted on said frame, afeed spring for moving said carriage relative to said frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on said frame in driven engagement with said rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms supported by said frame and each having relatively movable concentric cylindrical sleeves restricting movement of said carriage to different degrees respectively, means selectively connecting said feed pinion with said mechanisms, and selecting means imparting relative movement to said elements for independently activating said mechanisms, wherein one of said sleeves is stationary with respect to said mechanism and has an outer peripheral bearing surface, and another of said sleeves is relatively movable and has an inner periphery engaging said surface.

31. A variable spacing typewriter having a frame, a carriage including a feed rack slidably mounted on said frame, a feed spring for moving said carriage relative to said frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on said frame in driven engagement with said rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms supported by said frame and each having relatively movable concentric cylindrical sleeves restricting movement of said carriage to different degrees respectively, means selectively connecting said feed pinion with said mechanisms, and selecting means imparting relative movement to said elements for independently activating said mechanisms, wherein one of said sleeves is stationary relative to said mechanism and provides a plurality of uniformly circumferentially spaced notches, and another of said sleeves is rotatable and reciprocable and carries a retaining dog receivable in said notches, each of said notches being bounded by an inclined edge for guiding said dog.

32. A variable spacing typewriter having a frame, a carriage including a feed rack slidably mounted on said frame, a feed spring for moving said carriage relative to said frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on said frame in driven engagement with said rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms supported by said frame and each having relatively, movable concentric cylindrical sleeves restricting movement of said carriage to different degrees respectively, means selectively connecting said feed pinion with said mechanisms, and selecting means imparting relative movement to said elements for independently activating said mechanisms, wherein each of said mechanisms includes a reciproeable carrier operated by said selecting means and each said carrier rotatably supports one of said sleeves of each said mechanism, and a member common to said carriers engaging a guiding slot in each carrier to confine its motion to reciprocation.

33. A variable spacing typewriter having a frame, a carriage including a feed rack slidably mounted on said frame, a feed spring for moving said carriage relative to said frame, a feed pinion having a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame in driven engagement with said rack, a plurality of carriage spacing mechanisms mounted concentrically about said shaft and supported by said frame, each said mechanism having a pair of concentric stationary sleeves and a relatively rotatably and reciprocably movable sleeve interposed therebetween for restricting movement of said carriage to diiferent degrees respectively, the outer of said stationary sleeves carrying a single index element, said movable sleeve carrying a plurality of index elements uniformly circumferentially spaced for engagement with said single index element, the inner of said stationary sleeves carrying multiple index elements in uniformly circumferentially spaced relationship, said movable sleeve carrying a single index element for engagement with said multiple elements, clutch means normally interengaging said feed pinion with one of said mechanisms and selectively connecting said feed pinion with the others of said mechanisms, said selecting means including a cam movement independently activating said mechanisms. 7

34. A typewriter having a frame, a carriage including a feed rack slidably mounted on said frame, a feed spring for moving said carriage relative to said frame, a feed pinion rotatably mounted on said frame in driven engagement with said rack, a carriage spacing mechanism supported by said frame and having a relatively reciprocating and rotatable sleeve to advance said carriage, means connecting said feed pinion with said rotatable sleeve, and

means imparting'reciprocating movement to said sleeve in opposite directions while said sleeve rotates continuously in one direction an amount corresponding to a complete typing movement of said carriage to prevent piling.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 427,712 Street May 13, 1890 480,677 Street Aug. 9, 1892 559,126 Ellis Apr. 28, 1896 1,199,227 Anderson Sept. 26, 1916 2,220,184 Waite et a1 Nov. 5, 1940 2,261,965 Colton Nov. 11, 1941 2,298,805 Norton Oct. 13, 1942 2,547,088 Norton Apr. 3, 1951 

